Assessing the impact of agronomic spacing conditions on biophysical

Spacing, an agronomic factor, is considered as one of the key management components in any cropping system. The experiment was conducted during 2011-2012 to evaluate the effects of different levels of spacing on biophysical and biochemical parameters along with yield and yield components in cotton (Gossypium spp.) during kharif season in the fields of Vadodara Taluka. Three different levels of plant spacing 60, 50 and 40 cm with a consistent row width of 210 cm were selected. The soil of the experimental field was black clayey soil. The analysis was carried out during disparate growth stages like square formation, Peak flowering and Boll bursting stages of cotton crop. The Results obtained showed that all the traits were significantly affected by different spacing used. Higher values for biophysical and biochemical parameters were observed at wider and optimum spacing for different growth stages. Furthermore yield and yield components also showed highest values for optimum spacing unlike plant height which attained its apogee at wider spacing. On the basis of findings, growing cotton at plant spacing of 60 and 50 cm remains the prime recommendation.